Headphones: One for Music/Movies, one for gaming?

Ngale

Estimable
Jun 13, 2014
2
0
4,510
Hey all!

Just wondering what can be considered the "best" (subjective, I know) two pairs of dedicated headphones (no mic, analog, no USB, etc.)? I more than likely would use one for music/movies/watching vids, etc. and one for gaming.

I am currently looking into the Sennheiser 599's, for one, but am unsure which it is better for. I've seen some say they are best for both or one or the other, but no overall consensus of opinion (but maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places...).
EDIT: Some specs to help narrow down: open back, over ear, $100-$400, no mic, analog. No brand preference really, but I've always been a fan of Sennheiser, Beyerdynamic, and AT.

Any help in narrowing down the best two would be great! However, if there is one you believe to be genuinely best at both, that would be fine too!

Thanks and just say if you need any clarification!
 

SkyBill40

Honorable
Oct 11, 2013
180
0
10,760
"Best" is going to be highly subjective. What will matter is your price range and/or any brand loyalty you may have. Sennheiser makes some nice cans for sure, but so do Audio Technica and a host of others. You also need to take the type of headphone it is into consideration as the design will make the soundstage sound very different. On ear vs over ear matters, too.

What you need to do if at all possible is get some time with a number of sets on your ears. Find out what sounds best to you, feels the most comfortable, and fits your budget. Make sure you are taking some of the kind of music you prefer to test them out.
 
D

Deleted member 217926

Guest
You really don't need 2 pair. Unless like me, you go down the rabbit hole. :lol:

Good for everything. No amp required but will benefit.

Open back:

Sennheiser HD 599

Massdrop x Sennheiser HD 58X Jubilee

Philips Fidelio X2

Closed back:

ATH M40X

Monoprice M1060C --- I tried the original, open M1060 and had to return them. Good but had a strange metallic sound in the mids. The 1060C has a new driver that fixes it.

Meze 99 Classics / Massdrop x Meze 99 Noir. The Massdrop version is brand new and won't ship until next April. They're $100 cheaper than the 99 Classics though and the same thing.

Plenty of others worth recommending but I tried to keep the need for an amp and DAC out of it.

Unbiased reviews.

https://www.innerfidelity.com/

https://www.headfonia.com/

https://headfonics.com/

Also Metal571, DMS, The Nitpicker ( Damir Franc ) and Joshua Valour on youtube. Zeos is entertaining and I love his reviews but I don't trust his ear. Metal571 is the best from a technical standpoint.